Month: August 2012

Remember when simple things like a blanket suddenly made you a flight-worthy avenger or your mom’s high-heeled shoes and a smear of lipstick made you a fearful queen? For one night in Tempe, return to the world of make believe. Don your superhero snow-gloves that allow you to smash your opponents, wield your mighty vacuum hose that allows you to suck out the souls of your victims, this September marks the homemade heroes Second Saturday ride.

Though Batman may be a badass and Storm has the ability to control the atmosphere, this Sept. 8, we’re more interested in your own home-spun version of heroism. Whether you’re SuperJeff who, with the help of his special armor made out of couch cushions, can crush his opponents, or Savage Sarah who’s known for her cave-woman-esque tactics of smashing her enemies heads in with a large stone, we want to know what powers you have within. And what odd things you can bind together with ducttape to make you appear bigger and better than life.

Meet your fellow powerful heroes and villains at Tempe Beach Park, the ride on to avenge your thirst for delicious craft brews in the fine establishments of Tempe. All power levels (on the bike and otherwise) welcome.

On September 28 the second annual PEDAL CRAFT PHX will ride into downtown Phoenix to fuse bicycles, art, and community in celebration of the city’s growing urban bike scene. The one night event will feature hundreds of bicyclists, a bicycle-themed poster show, a display of unique bicycle racks, a nationally acclaimed biking advocate and author, and rides to dining “hotspots” in downtown Phoenix. PEDAL CRAFT PHX will take place on Friday, September 28, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Kitchen Sink Studios Gallery, 828 North Third Street. Admission is free.

Twenty-five local graphic designers will show their original bicycle-themed poster artwork, available for sale for $20 per poster. A percentage of the proceeds from the poster show will be donated to the Rusty Spoke Community Bicycle Collective, a volunteer-run organization situated on Lower Grand Avenue and dedicated to local bicycle advocacy.

SideWalk Phoenix, an advocacy group for walkable, bikeable, and livable communities, will also display a dozen one-of-a-kind bicycle racks designed and fabricated by local artists, metal sculptors, and local celebrities.

Throughout the evening, several bike groups will lead rides of various difficulties (from novice to hardcore) to downtown Phoenix restaurants and pubs that have installed bike racks and are offering special menu discounts for PEDAL CRAFT PHX participants.

TBAG is promoting PEDAL CRAFT PHX as part of bike week before Tempe’s Tour de Fat on October 6. Stay tuned for more updates on the group rides and bike-pools from Tempe. For more information about PEDAL CRAFT PHX, visit pedalcraftphx.com

The City of Tempe is holding their second public meeting about the streetscape redesign on Hardy Drive between University Drive and Broadway Road. While the last meeting was very positive towards bikes and pedestrians, we need to show up to continue that positive energy. Details are below.

The City of Tempe is holding a public meeting to talk with residents, neighbors and businesses about a project to improve pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities and enhance the streetscape on Hardy Drive between University Drive and Broadway Road. This project is funded with $1.2 million in federal grant money.

Discussion at the meeting will include:
• Gathering input from residents, businesses and organizations along the Hardy Drive corridor on potential design elements
• Review and solicit comments on the preliminary design concepts
• Updating the public about the project process and timeline

The project will likely include bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities enhancements, ADA improvements and landscaping. The project will make the street more user-friendly, multi-modal and sustainable.

Love TBAG? Aw, shucks, we love you too. That’s why we know we can count on you for support. Well, we know we can count on your thirst for some delicious craft brews, at least.

This Aug. 24-26, local drinking establishments in the Valley will be hosting USA Pro Cycling Challenge watch parties with the help of New Belgium Brewing Co.

Not only will you be able to enjoy some fine beer with excellent company, but you’ll also have the opportunity to drink for a cause. New Belgium will be donating $1 to TBAG for every glass given away. Wear your TBAG gear and we’ll hook you up with swag and deals.

Saturday Aug. 25 – 10:30am – 3pmBoulders on Broadway(530 West Broadway Rd. Tempe)
Our good friends at Boulders are the hosts for a big Saturday stage six, starting in Golden then heading to the climbs in the mountains around Boulder.

Sunday Aug. 26 at 11am – 3pmOHSO eatery + nano brewery (4900 East Indian School Rd. Phoenix)AND Angel’s Trumpet Ale House (810 N. Second St. Phoenix – just south of Roosevelt)
Root for your favorite riders as they race a fast and flat time trial in downtown Denver.

Join SanTan Brewing Co. and TBAG for a bathing suit bike ride in Old Town Scottsdale on Labor Day weekend, Sunday Sept. 2nd.

The ride starts at Grimaldi’s at 3pm for SanTan brews and some pizza, and then stops at two bars: Zips and RnR, for more brews, before ending at the pool at The Saguaro Hotel. Tickets are $20 which includes food at the start and one beer at each stop. There will also be additional SanTan beer specials at each stop, and at the pool at the end. Get your tickets online at www.santanbrewing.com

If you were on this ride last year you know what a great time it was. Come join us again, or for the first time!

Get a chance to stand in the limelight in the biggest bike festival in Tempe – and get a chance to revolutionize your life with a brand new commuter bike of your choosing. New Belgium Brewing Co. is coming to town Oct. 6 to celebrate the Tour de Fat in Tempe and they want …. your car.

Every year, one lucky local participant gets to hand over their car keys on the Tour de Fat stage in front of thousands of bike enthusiasts and pledge to live their life car free. This year, it could be you.

Tell New Belgium your story – why you’re the best and most devoted candidate for a brand new commuter bike – via video, photos or in writing. To enter, visit the New Belgium Facebook page, and post your story to the Tempe Tour de Fat event

Submit your stories as soon as possible!

This year, the car swap winner will get to choose their own bike and have it built by the local bike shop (or co-op) of their choosing! If you are affiliated with a local bike shop and want to be sure your shop is involved, contact info@biketempe.org.

The Tempe Tour de Fat is just two months away, and we’re already excited about getting a great group of volunteers this year! Tour de Fat, which takes place on October 6th at Tempe Town Lake, is a celebration of bikes, beers, and just getting weird. Our TBAG volunteers always keep things running smoothly, and are rumored to have the best costumes ever.

To stay in the loop, visit our TBAG Tempe Tour de Fat page and enter your email address under, “2012 Volunteer Sign-Up.” We’ll send you reminders once the volunteer signup opens, so that you can sign up quickly for your favorite team, shift, and position.

More details on Tempe Tour de Fat are coming soon, so keep your eyes open!